Steady numbers of COVID-19 patients today from The University of Kansas Health System. 32 are hospitalized, down from 34 yesterday. Nine patients are in the ICU, same as yesterday. Seven patients are on ventilators, up from 6 yesterday. 26 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s down from 27 yesterday. Doctors are concerned that 80% of those in the ICU are on ventilators. In addition, HaysMed reports 12 inpatients with one in the non-infectious but recovering phase.
The big topic of the morning was the announcement that President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. David Wild, VP of Performance Improvement at The University of Kansas Health System, joined Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer and Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control to talk about that. Dr. Stites said this shows COVID-19 does not care who you are and that it can infect anybody at any time. Dr. Wild pointed out that despite daily testing of the president, his family and staff, the test results are only good for that moment in time. He says it’s very common to test negative one day and positive the next. Dr. Hawkinson said it’s not a given that the president will get very sick, and we probably won’t learn much that we didn’t already know about transmission dynamics from this. Dr. Stites says with treatments, the odds are the president and first lady will be OK.
Dr. Wild also shared a close look at hospitalizations for COVID-19 at the health system. Since March 1, 773 patients have been treated. The numbers show more people have been hospitalized in the last couple of months than at the beginning of the pandemic, but the length of those stays is shorter. The patients are younger with fewer chronic medical conditions. The death rate is also lower.
The doctors also answered questions from the community. Here are the questions in the order the doctors addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- Are there any documented cases of reinfection from COVID-19? Yes. Doctors are still not sure how long a person may or may not be immune after infection.
- We don’t hear much about nursing homes and prisons lately. Are they allowing visitors? What is the virus spread? Most facilities are still closed to visitors.
- The Journal Lancet recently concluded that 172 investigational studies show wearing face masks reduces the risk of coronavirus. But, does that have any value if not a double-blind scientific study? Masks are proven effective, but only if they are on your face. It’s not possible to do a double-blind study of this.
- How effective are neoprene masks? And gaiters if there are two layers? Both are effective barriers. Face shields and goggles alone are not.
- My husband believes COVID-19 spreads only in large groups and he can talk to another person six feet apart and no mask. Is that safe? It depends on the activity. The farther apart the better.
- Will a vaccine protect me if I take it and others around me don’t? Yes, based on what we’ve seen with other vaccines.
- When should I get a flu shot? Why should I get a flu shot when there’s COVID-19 to worry about? Any time this month is best to get a flu shot. It’s more important than ever this year during the pandemic.
- Why do I have to quarantine for 14 days if most people are exposed on or before 10 days? Where did the number 14 come from? 14 days is the observed incubation period of the virus. Most people exposed will test positive within 10 days.
- How soon after COVID-19 can I get a flu shot? Wait 10 days for the isolation period to be over.
- Is it safe to visit apple orchards and pumpkin patches with the high rate of community COVID-19 spread? Yes. As with any other outdoor activity, masking and social distancing will keep you safer.
Monday, October 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. KU Chancellor Dr. Doug Girod and Chris Wilson, VP of System Integration and Innovation are back to update the virus spread on campus.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants:
For those without Zoom, call 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
